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Asian Champions League 1 and 2 thread

Brenton1986 said:
zamin.uz

According to the new ACL format, “Nasaf” is expected to participate in the AFC Champions League 2 tournament – Zamin.uz, 14.04.2026

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is introducing major changes to the format of the AFC Champions League (ACL). These updates affect not only the structure of the tournament but also the quota system allocated to countries. According to information, under the new system Uzbekistan retains one
zamin.uz zamin.uz
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Great sleuthing @Brenton1986

If I read it correctly, Uzbekistan, 5th ranked in the west, receives a bonus playoff spot for ACLE. As Australia is 5th in the east, we can assume wed receive the same.

With just two rounds remaining, suddenly much more to play for in the A-League!
 
AFC confirms slot allocations:

www.the-afc.com

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Amendments to the Entry Regulations (Edition 2025), which will apply exclusively to the 2026/27 season, comprise revisions to slot allocation for Member Associations .
www.the-afc.com www.the-afc.com

For us, it's an extra ACLE playoff spot as was rumoured.

Another interesting part, VAR will be COMPULSORY for all top divisions participanting in ACLE.
 
confirmed Australian clubs who are officially playing in Asia for the 2026/27 season following today's results after a pulsating and dramatic Super Sunday in the Isuzu UTE A League Men,
ACL Elite league phase: Newcastle Jets
ACL Elite playoff: Adelaide United
ACL Two group stage: Melbourne Victory
 
HappyGuus said:
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You have to be full time professional football club to be competing ACL Elite and ACL Two therefore Heidelberg United can't qualify and since they didn't win Australia Cup goes back to league placing (since Newcastle Jets have done the double) & there has been precedence has happened every single time it occurs including occurred in at least three countries from East region this season where clubs have done the double went back to league standings (South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore).

Page 16 of the AFC Club Entry Regulations mention professional, not semi-professional.

Also on same document (Sporting Criteria, Club licensing criteria) located here:
https://assets.the-afc.com/download...itions---Entry-Regulations-(Edition-2025).pdf
 
Brenton1986 said:
You have to be full time professional football club to be competing ACL Elite and ACL Two therefore Heidelberg United can't qualify and since they didn't win Australia Cup goes back to league placing (since Newcastle Jets have done the double) & there has been precedence has happened every single time it occurs including occurred in at least three countries from East region this season where clubs have done the double went back to league standings (South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore).

Page 16 of the AFC Club Entry Regulations mention professional, not semi-professional.

Also on page 20-21 of same document (Sporting Criteria) located here:
https://assets.the-afc.com/download...itions---Entry-Regulations-(Edition-2025).pdf
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I don't think 7.4 is being read correctly by those online. Mcbreen clarified this on twitter with the caveat that he is looking into it
 
grazorblade said:
I don't think 7.4 is being read correctly by those online. Mcbreen clarified this on twitter with the caveat that he is looking into it
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it is correct he has not read the rules correctly at all its for top division league only .

our top six ranked Australian clubs were from Isuzu UTE A League Men,
Newcastle Jets
Adelaide United
Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC
Melbourne City
Macarthur
 
Brenton1986 said:
it is correct he has not read the rules correctly at all its for top division league only .

our top six ranked Australian clubs were from Isuzu UTE A League Men,
Newcastle Jets
Adelaide United
Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC
Melbourne City
Macarthur
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The conversation on twitter seemed quite informed to be honest, the top 6 rule is for teams qualifying via league placing. I find it funny that they wrote "for the avoidance of doubt" and then wrote something that, read in context of the whole document creates more doubt :D
 
grazorblade said:
The conversation on twitter seemed quite informed to be honest, the top 6 rule is for teams qualifying via league placing. I find it funny that they wrote "for the avoidance of doubt" and then wrote something that, read in context of the whole document creates more doubt :D
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it goes back to league placing since Newcastle Jets did the double every other country in the Asian Football Confederation has done this as well i spoke to Iranian based AFC journalist Erfan Hoseiny confirmed during March international break saying cup runner up is not eligible for AFC club competition only the cup winners.
 
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